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Food Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

In this role, you will play a key part in delivering high-quality, consumer-focused food products by applying strong scientific principles to product, process, and packaging development. You will ...

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Food Product Development information

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$42.5K

$127K

$144.5K

How much do food product development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for food product development in the United States is $126,987.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in food product development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Food Product Development, you need expertise in food science, sensory evaluation, and recipe formulation, typically backed by a degree in food science, nutrition, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, food safety regulations, and product lifecycle management software is often required. Strong project management, creativity, and teamwork skills help individuals excel in this role. These abilities are essential because they ensure products are innovative, safe, and compliant while meeting consumer demands and business objectives.

What do you do as a food product developer?

A food product developer designs, tests, and refines new food products to meet consumer preferences and safety standards. They conduct research, create prototypes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams using tools like sensory evaluation and food science techniques to bring products from concept to market.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in food product development?

Food Product Development professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing taste, nutrition, cost, and shelf-life while adhering to strict food safety and regulatory standards. They may need to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and troubleshoot issues that arise during product testing or manufacturing scale-up. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as marketing, quality assurance, and supply chain, is key to overcoming these obstacles and launching successful products. This dynamic environment requires flexibility and a continual willingness to learn and innovate.

What is a food product development?

A Food Product Development job involves creating new food products or improving existing ones by experimenting with ingredients, formulations, and processing techniques. Professionals in this field work closely with food scientists, marketers, and manufacturers to ensure products meet consumer preferences, regulatory standards, and cost requirements. They conduct research, test recipes, and oversee production trials to bring safe, high-quality, and marketable food items to store shelves.

How to get into food product development?

To pursue a career in food product development, individuals typically need a background in food science, culinary arts, or related fields, along with skills in research, formulation, and testing. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in food companies and developing knowledge of food safety standards and product lifecycle are also important steps.
What cities are hiring for Food Product Development jobs? Cities with the most Food Product Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Food Product Development jobs? The most popular types of Food Product Development jobs are:
What states have the most Food Product Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Food Product Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Food Product Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $126,987 per year, or $61.1 per hour.

Food Product Development Scientist

United Petfood Producers USA Inc.

Mishawaka, IN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Entry-Level Nutritionist

Location: Mishawaka, IN

Department: Procurement

Reports to: Quality Manager

Job Type: Full-time

About United Petfood:

United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.

Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!

Job Summary:

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Entry-Level Nutritionist to join our team. This individual will support the development and implementation of nutrition programs and strategies, with a focus on optimizing the health and performance of pets. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in the feed industry and possess a solid foundation in nutritional science.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Nutritional Analysis: Assist in analyzing and evaluating the nutritional content of feed ingredients and formulations to ensure they meet the required standards.
  • Product Development: Support the development of new pet food products and formulations, ensuring they are nutritionally balanced and meet market demands as well as AAFCO regulations.
  • Research and Data Collection: Conduct research on nutritional trends, new ingredients, and innovations in the pet food industry. Collect and analyze data to support nutrition projects.
  • Quality Control: Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of pet food quality to ensure compliance with nutritional standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Technical Support: Provide technical support to sales and marketing teams by preparing nutritional information and answering customer queries.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of nutritional data, formulations, and research findings. Prepare reports and presentations as required.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including production, and quality assurance, to support the implementation of nutrition programs and initiatives.
  • Field Support: Participate in field visits and trials to monitor the performance of pet food products and gather feedback from customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science, or a related field.
  • Basic understanding of animal nutrition principles and feed formulation.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience or internship in the feed or pet food industry.
  • Familiarity with pet food formulation software.
  • Knowledge of pet food manufacturing processes and quality control standards.
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements related to animal feed.
  • Strong interest in ongoing learning and professional development in the field of animal nutrition.

Working Conditions:

  • Full-time position with occasional travel to production facilities, research sites, and customer locations.
  • Work primarily in an office setting with some fieldwork and laboratory activities.

Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.